The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 474, sponsored by Rep. Negele, on probation and parole for animal abusers. This bill defines "animal abuse offense" and "companion animal" and establishes as a mandatory condition of probation and parole that a person convicted of an animal abuse offense may not own, harbor, or train a companion animal. The Tippecanoe Prosecutor, … [Read more...] about Probation and parole for animal abusers
Department of Child Services
The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard HB 1006, sponsored by Sen. Houchin, about changes to the Indiana Department of Child Services. This legislation, based on the Child Welfare Group (CWG) report: Creates a new third category of caseload for a family case manager for children in out of home care Provides an older youth who received foster care is eligible to … [Read more...] about Department of Child Services
Interfering with law enforcement
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard HB 1114 on interfering with law enforcement, sponsored by Sen. Head. The bill provides that a person commits interfering with law enforcement, a Class B misdemeanor, if the person enters a crime scene or similar location that is marked off with barrier tape, other markers, or a physical barrier. The bill also increases the … [Read more...] about Interfering with law enforcement
Traffic amnesty program
The Senate Committee on Tax & Fiscal Policy heard HB 1141, sponsored by Sen. Bohacek and Sen. Taylor. The bill passed by the House established a traffic amnesty program for 18 months during the latter half of FY 2020 and all of FY 2021. A person with an outstanding license suspension could file a petition, which would not be an admission of guilt or liability, in court to pay a … [Read more...] about Traffic amnesty program
Abortion matters
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1211 on abortion matters, sponsored by Sen. L. Brown. The bill provides that a person may not knowingly or intentionally perform a dismemberment abortion unless reasonable medical judgment dictates that performing the dismemberment abortion is necessary to: (1) prevent serious health risks to the mother; or (2) save the mother's life. The … [Read more...] about Abortion matters